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Arnotts seeks to airbrush its image

ARNOTTS, Ireland’s biggest department store, has added tattoos to the range of services available at its Henry Street store, writes Ciaran Hancock.

The retailer has linked up with Celestial Ring, a Dublin-based company, to begin a one-month trial of temporary tattoos. Costing from €5 each, the tattoos are airbrushed onto skin and will disappear after a week to 10 days.

“This is now a fashion accessory, especially for young women,” said Michael Nason, the chief executive of Arnotts, which was taken private in a €265m deal in 2003. Celestial Ring will initially move its operation around the ground floor of the store to gauge the best sales position.

A decision will be made shortly on whether tattoos will become a permanent in-store fixture. “We’ll have a very good gauge after a couple of weeks as to whether this is something for the longer term.”